Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Base Slat Pry Stopper
Technical Field
100011 The present disclosure relates generally to rolling shutter assemblies
and,
more particularly, to security structures in rolling shutter assemblies to
prevent
ingress through openings of structures covered by the rolling shutter
assemblies.
Background
[0002] Rolling protective shutters are conventional and are used to provide
protection against extreme weather conditions and to deter theft, for example.
One
such rolling protective shutter assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,095,224 to
Miller (hereinafter "the Miller '224 patent"). As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of
the
Miller '224 patent, a rolling shutter assembly is composed of a shutter
support
member, a shutter curtain formed by a plurality of elongate slats
interconnected by
a plurality of elongate hinges, and side tracks mounted on either side of an
opening. When not in use, the shutter curtain may be rolled up onto the
shutter
support member within a housing disposed mounted above the opening. When the
shutter curtain is unrolled to its protective position, each of the slats is
disposed
vertically with ends of the slats disposed within the side tracks on either
side of the
opening. The ends of the slats can include extension members attached thereto
that
are engaged by fins within the side tracks to prevent the ends of the slats
from
being pulled out of the side tracks. A bottommost or base slat of the shutter
curtain
has an extendable lock ann at either end that can be extended when the shutter
curtain is in the protective position and received by corresponding openings
within
the side tracks to prevent the shutter curtain from being lifted and allowing
ingress
through the opening.
[00031 The base slat can typically only be attached to the side tracks with
similar
locking mechanisms that slide from the base slat into the side tracks and are
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received by openings therein. In such arrangements, the engagement of the lock
arms within the side track openings provides the only two points of contact
for
locking or securing the base slat. Due to the flexibility of the base slat,
especially
as the width of the shutter curtain increases, the shutter security can be
compromised in some installations by a pry bar or crow bar being inserted
under
the base slate, and the base slat being pried up to allow a breach of the
security of
the shutter curtain. Once the security is breached, access into the structure
can be
gained through the opening, leaving property therein susceptible to vandalism
and
theft.
Summary of the Disclosure
100041 In one aspect of the present disclosure, a rolling shutter assembly for
covering an opening of a structure is disclosed. The opening may have an
opening
top wall, an opening bottom wall and oppositely disposed opening side walls.
The
rolling shutter assembly may include a shutter support member mounted at the
opening top wall, a shutter curtain coupled to the shutter support member, the
shutter curtain comprising a plurality of individual slats and a plurality of
hinges
interconnecting the plurality of individual slats, with a bottommost slat
being a
base slat, and a pair of side tracks each having a U-shaped channel. Each of
the
pair of side tracks is mounted to a corresponding one of the opening side
walls
such that ends of the plurality of individual slats are received within the U-
shaped
channels when the shutter curtain is unrolled from the shutter support member
to
cover the opening, and wherein the base slat is disposed proximate the opening
bottom wall when the shutter curtain is unrolled. The rolling shutter assembly
further includes a base slat locking bracket mounted to the opening bottom
wall on
an interior side of the structure and the shutter curtain. The base slat
locking
bracket is positioned so that the base slat can move upward and downward past
the
base slat locking bracket when the shutter curtain is rolled onto and unrolled
from
the shutter support member, and the base slat locking bracket receives and
engages
the base slat to prevent the base slat from deflecting upward away from the
opening bottom wall when a force applied from an exterior side of the shutter
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curtain causes the base slat to deflect toward the interior side of the
structure and
the shutter curtain.
[0005] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for covering an
opening of a structure to prevent ingress into the structure through the
opening is
disclosed. A rolling shutter assembly is mounted at the opening, the rolling
shutter
assembly having a shutter support member mounted at an opening top wall, a
shutter curtain coupled to the shutter support member and having a plurality
of
individual slats and a plurality of hinges interconnecting the plurality of
individual
slats, with a bottommost slat being a base slat, and a pair of side tracks
each having
a U-shaped channel, each of the pair of side tracks mounted to a corresponding
one
of opening side walls such that ends of the plurality of individual slats are
received
within the U-shaped channels when the shutter curtain is unrolled from the
shutter
support member to cover the opening, and wherein the base slat is disposed
proximate an opening bottom wall when the shutter curtain is unrolled. The
method for covering includes mounting a base slat locking bracket to the
opening
bottom wall on an interior side of the structure and the shutter curtain,
wherein the
base slat locking bracket is positioned so that the base slat can move upward
and
downward past the base slat locking bracket when the shutter curtain is rolled
onto
and unrolled from the shutter support member, and engaging the base slat by
the
base slat locking bracket to prevent the base slat from deflecting upward away
from the opening bottom wall when the shutter curtain is unrolled and a force
applied from an exterior side of the shutter curtain causes the base slat to
deflect
toward the interior side of the structure and the shutter curtain.
[0006] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a base slat locking
bracket
for locking a rolling shutter assembly installed to cover an opening of a
structure is
disclosed. The opening has an opening top wall, an opening bottom wall and
oppositely disposed opening side walls. The rolling shutter assembly includes
a
shutter support member mounted at the opening top wall, a shutter curtain
coupled
to the shutter support member, the shutter curtain comprising a plurality of
individual slats and a plurality of hinges interconnecting the plurality of
individual
slats, with a bottommost slat being a base slat extending inward toward an
interior
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of the structure and the shutter curtain, and a pair of side tracks each
having a U-
shaped channel, each of the pair of side tracks mounted to a corresponding one
of
the opening side walls such that ends of the plurality of individual slats are
received within the U-shaped channels when the shutter curtain is unrolled
from
the shutter support member to cover the opening, and wherein the base slat is
disposed proximate the opening bottom wall when the shutter curtain is
unrolled.
The base slat locking bracket including a bracket base plate mounted to the
opening bottom wall on an interior side of the structure and the shutter
curtain, and
a base slat engagement portion extending upward from the bracket base plate
and
above a top surface of the opening bottom wall. The base slat engagement
portion
is positioned so that the base slat can move upward and downward past the base
slat locking bracket when the shutter curtain is rolled onto and unrolled from
the
shutter support member, and the base slat engagement portion engages the base
slat
to prevent the base slat from deflecting upward away from the opening bottom
wall
when a force applied from an exterior side of the shutter curtain causes the
base
slat to deflect toward the interior side of the structure and the shutter
curtain.
[0007] Additional aspects are defined by the claims of this patent.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a rolling shutter assembly that can
implement a base slat pry stopper in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0009] Fig. 2 is a side view of a portion of a shutter curtain of the rolling
shutter
assembly of Fig. 1;
[0010] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional bottom view of a portion of the rolling
shutter
assembly of Fig. 1 taken through line 3-3 of Fig. 1;
[0011] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the rolling shutter
assembly of Fig. 1 with the shutter curtain in an unrolled and locked
position;
[0012] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional bottom view of a portion of the rolling
shutter
assembly of Fig. 1 taken through line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
[0013] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion of the shutter
curtain
of the rolling shutter assembly of Fig. 1 in the unrolled and locked position
and a
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side view of a base slat pry stopper in accordance with the present disclosure
mounted to an opening bottom wall;
[0014] Fig. 7 is the bottom portion of the shutter curtain and the base slat
pry
stopper of Fig. 6 with a pry bar forcing the base slat of the shutter curtain
into
engagement with the base slat pry stopper;
[0015] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of the shutter
curtain
of the rolling shutter assembly of Fig. 1 in the unrolled and locked position
and a
side view of an alternative embodiment of a base slat pry stopper in
accordance
with the present disclosure mounted to the opening bottom wall;
[0016] Fig. 9 is the bottom portion of the shutter curtain and the base slat
pry
stopper of Fig. 8 with a pry bar forcing the base slat of the shutter curtain
into
engagement with the base slat pry stopper;
[0017] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of the shutter
curtain of the rolling shutter assembly of Fig. 1 in the unrolled and locked
position
and a side view of another alternative embodiment of a base slat pry stopper
in
accordance with the present disclosure mounted to the opening bottom wall;
100181 Fig. 11 is the bottom portion of the shutter curtain and the base slat
pry
stopper of Fig. 10 with a pry bar forcing the base slat of the shutter curtain
into
engagement with the base slat pry stopper;
[0019] Fig. 12 is an isometric view of the base slat pry stopper of Fig. 6 and
a
portion of an opening bottom wall having a base plate recess with bracket
retention
members in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0020] Fig. 13 is the isometric view of Fig. 12 with the base slat pry stopper
lowered into the base plate recess;
[0021] Fig. 14 is the isometric view of Fig. 12 with the base slat pry stopper
moved to a locked position within the base plate recess;
[0022] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of the shutter
curtain of the rolling shutter assembly of Fig. 1 in the unrolled and locked
position
and a side view of an alternative embodiment of a base slat pry stopper with
bracket retention members in accordance with the present disclosure mounted to
the opening bottom wall;
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[0023] Fig. 16 is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of a
base
slat pry stopper and a portion of the opening bottom wall having a base plate
slide
mount in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0024] Fig. 17 is the isometric view of Fig. 16 with the bracket base plate of
the
base slat pry stopper received by the base plate slide mount;
[0025] Fig. 18 is an isometric view of another alternative embodiment of the
base slat pry stopper of Fig. 16 and a portion of the opening bottom wall
having a
bracket retention plate in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0026] Fig. 19 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a locking bracket
assembly in accordance with the present disclosure installed in the opening
bottom
wall and with a base slat locking bracket in a base slat locking position;
[0027] Fig. 20 is the partial cross-sectional view of Fig. 18 with the base
slat
locking bracket in a bracket retracted position;
[0028] Fig. 21 is an isometric view of the base slat of the rolling shutter
assembly of Fig. 1, the base slat locking bracket of Fig. 8 and an embodiment
of a
latch mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0029] Fig. 22 is a top view of the base slat, the base slat locking bracket
and the
latch mechanism of Fig. 21 with the latch mechanism disengaged;
[0030] Fig. 23 is the top view of the base slat, the base slat locking bracket
and
the latch mechanism of Fig. 21;
[0031] Fig. 24 is a top view of the base slat and the base slat locking
bracket of
Fig. 21 and an alternative embodiment of a latch mechanism in accordance with
the present disclosure with the latch mechanism disengaged
[0032] Fig. 25 is the top view of the base slat, the base slat locking bracket
and
the latch mechanism of Fig. 24 with the latch mechanism partially engaged; and
[0033] Fig. 26 is the top view of the base slat, the base slat locking bracket
and
the latch mechanism of Fig. 24 with the latch mechanism fully engaged.
Detailed Description
[0034] One type of a rolling shutter assembly 10 that may implement a base
slat
pry stopper in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in Figs. 1-5.
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Referring to Fig. 1, the rolling shutter assembly 10 has a shutter housing
which
includes a top wall 12, a pair of side walls or end caps 14, a front wall 16,
a rear
wall 18 and a bottom wall (not shown). In many implementations, the top wall
12,
rear wall 18 and an upper portion of the front wall 16 are formed as a first
housing
component, and the remainder of the front wall 16 and the bottom wall are
formed
as a second housing component to facilitate installation of the rolling
shutter
assembly 10. A shutter support member 20 is mounted for rotation within the
shutter housing. The shutter support member 20 includes a generally
cylindrical
central shaft 22 and a plurality of mounting members 24 fixed to the central
shaft
22.
100351 The upper end of a rolling shutter curtain 30 is coupled to one or more
of
the mounting members 24. The rolling shutter curtain 30 is composed of a
plurality of individual, elongate slats 32. One example of a configuration of
the
shutter curtain 30 with the slats 32 is illustrated in Fig. 2. The slats 32,
each of
which may have a curved cross-section to facilitate wrapping around the
shutter
support member 20, and may be composed of steel, aluminum, or other
appropriate
material, are interconnected by a plurality of hinges 34, each of which joins
together a pair of adjacent slats 32. Each of the slats 32 includes an upward
projection 35 extending longitudinally along the upper edge of the slat 32 and
having a rearward and upward extending hook 36 at the top. Each of the slats
32
further includes a downward facing generally U-shaped recess 37 extending
longitudinally along the lower edge of the slat 32 and having a forward
horizontal
projection 38 formed on one edge of the recess 37 and extending partially
across
the open end of the recess 37. The hook 36 of a lower slat 32 and the recess
37 and
the projection 38 of an upper slat 32 interlock to form each hinge 34. The
recess
37 may further be formed with a semi-circular portion 39 forming an integral
screw boss for engaging an end retention member 50 (Fig. 3) that will in turn
engage the corresponding side track 40 (Figs. 1 and 3) of the rolling shutter
assembly 10 to retain the rolling shutter curtain 30 within the side tracks
40. This
shutter slat configuration is illustrated and described more fully in U.S.
Pat. No.
7,357,171 (hereinafter "the Miller '171 patent"), which is expressly
incorporated by
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reference herein for all purposes. Other examples of shutter assemblies with
end
retention are shown in the Miller '224 patent and U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,225
(hereinafter "the Miller '225 patent"), which are expressly incorporated by
reference herein for all purposes. Other configurations of slats and
interconnecting
hinges are well known in the art and are contemplated by the inventor as
having
use in rolling shutter assemblies 10 in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0036] Referring back to Fig. 1, the ends of the slats 32 are disposed within
a
pair of side tracks 40 having U-shaped channels. The rolling shutter assembly
10
may include a drive motor housing 42 at one of the end caps 14 containing a
reversible drive motor, such as a tubular operator (not shown), connected to
the
central shaft 22 to rotate the central shaft 22 in either direction to raise
and lower
the rolling shutter curtain 30. The drive motor housing 42 may also include a
gear
assembly (not shown) connected to the central shaft 22 with a removable hand
crank 44 for manually raising and lowering the rolling shutter curtain 30 in
the
event of a failure of the drive motor, such as during a power outage. When
mounted to protect a window or other opening, the side tracks 40 of the
rolling
shutter assembly 10 are positioned on either side of the opening and the
shutter
housing is positioned over the top of the opening. Alternatively, in some
applications, the side tracks 40 and shutter housing are positioned within the
opening. When the rolling shutter curtain 30 is not in use, it is rolled up on
the
shutter support member 20 via the drive motor or, if necessary, the hand crank
44
so that it is at least partially enclosed by the shutter housing.
[0037] Using the drive motor or the hand crank 44, the rolling shutter curtain
30
is rolled up into the shutter housing until a base slat 46 and its base slat
body 48 are
disposed at the shutter housing, or unrolled from the shutter support member
20
until the base slat 46 is disposed proximate a bottom surface of the opening.
The
base slat 46 is illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 2. The base slat 46 may
have a
generally rectangular cross-section for strength and to prevent the base slat
46 from
twisting within the side track 40. The base slat 46 includes an upward
projection
52 and a hook 54 similar to the upward projections 35 and hooks 36 of the
slats 32
extending longitudinally along the upper edge of the base slat 46 so that the
hook
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54 may interlock with the recess 37 and the projection 38 of the bottommost
slat 32
of the rolling shutter curtain 30 to form the bottommost hinge 34.
[0038] The base slat 46 further includes a locking mechanism for selective
engagement of the side tracks 40 to substantially prevent the rolling shutter
curtain
30 from being raised when in the unrolled position shown in Fig. 1 to prevent
access through the opening. In the illustrated base slat 46, lock arms 56 at
either
end of the base slat 46 are extendable and retractable through arm openings 58
in
base slat end walls 60. A conventional key lock 62 that is accessible from an
interior side 64 of the shutter curtain 30 and the opening covered by the
rolling
shutter assembly 10 may be operatively coupled to the lock arms 56 by linkages
or
other connecting structures (not shown) within the base slat 46. The key lock
62 is
movable between an unlocked position in which the lock arms 56 are retracted
into
the base slat 46 and a locked position in which the lock arms 56 extend out
from
the base slat end walls 60 are engaged by the side tracks 40 as described
further
below. Depending on the implementation, the base slat 46 may have a single key
lock 62 that is operatively connected to both lock arms 56 as shown in Fig. 1,
or
may have a separate key lock 62 at each end operatively connected to the
corresponding lock arm 56.
[0039] The structure of one example of previously known side tracks 40 is
illustrated in Fig. 3, which is a horizontal cross-section taken through line
3-3 in
Fig. 1 to show the right side track 40 and a corresponding portion of the
shutter
curtain 30. The left side track 40 has a similar configuration. The side track
40
has a pair of side walls 70, 72, and an end wall 74 defining a U-shaped
channel.
The side track 40 further includes a first pair of fins 76, 78 that extend
inwardly
from the side walls 70, 72, respectively, and define a first gap 80 that is
wide
enough to receive the end retention members 50 extending from the ends of the
slats 32 and engage bodies 82 and heads 84 of the end retention members 50 to
retain the rolling shutter curtain 30 in a manner described more fully in the
Miller
'224 patent and the Miller '225 patent. An inner wall 86 extends from the side
wall
70 to the side wall 72 and is disposed between the end wall 74 and the fins
76, 78.
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[0040] Configured in this way, the side tracks 40 provide multiple channels.
The
fins 76, 78 and portions of the side walls 70, 72 define a first channel
adapted to
receive the slats 32, 46 when the rolling shutter curtain 30 is unrolled. The
fins 76,
78, the inner wall 86 and corresponding portions of the side walls 70, 72
extending
there between define a second channel adapted to receive the end retention
members 50 as illustrated and described in the Miller '224 patent and the
Miller
'225 patent. Finally, the end wall 74, the inner wall 86 and the remainder of
the
side walls 70, 72 define a third channel that receives a nipple 88 extending
downward from the corresponding end cap 14 when the end cap 14 is attached to
the side track 40. Additional fins 90, 92 extending inward from the end wall
74
and the inner wall 86, respectively, engage the nipple 88 to prevent movement
within the third channel.
100411 The side tracks 40 are further configured to facilitate locking of the
rolling shutter assembly 10 when the shutter curtain 30 is unrolled to cover
the
opening. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the rolling shutter assembly 10 with the
shutter
curtain 30 in the unrolled and locked position. Fig. 4 is a front view in
which the
right side track 40 is shown in cross-section, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional
view
taken through line 5-5 of Fig. 4. The shutter curtain 30 is unrolled to cover
the
opening with the base slat 46 disposed proximate the bottoms of the opening
and
the side tracks 40. Each side track 40 includes a lock arm receiving slot 94
in the
inner wall 86 proximate the bottom of the side track 40. The lock arm
receiving
slot 94 is adapted to receive the end of the corresponding lock arm 56 when
the
key lock 62 is turned to the locked position as shown in Fig. 4. When the
shutter
curtain 30 is unrolled and the key lock 62 is locked, the inner wall 86
engages the
lock arm 56 to prevent the base slat 46 from being lifted from the bottom of
the
opening and shutter curtain 30 from being raised or rolled up.
100421 The arrangement of the rolling shutter assembly 10 is effective for
preventing entry through the opening covered by the rolling shutter assembly
10
when the shutter curtain 30 is in the unrolled and locked position. However,
incidents have occurred where pry bars or other leverage devices have been
used to
gain leverage and force the base slat 46 upward to gain access through the
opening
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under the base slat 46. To prevent prying up of the base slat 46, a base slat
pry
stopper in accordance with the present disclosure may be installed with the
rolling
shutter assembly 10. For example, Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a base slat pry
stopper in
the form of a base slat locking bracket 100 that is mounted to or on an
opening
bottom wall 102 defming the opening of the structure being protected by the
rolling shutter assembly 10.
100431 Referring to Fig. 6, the base slat locking bracket 100 is mounted to
the
opening bottom wall 102 on the interior side 64 of the rolling shutter
assembly 10
and the protected structure. The base slat locking bracket 100 is positioned
so that
the base slat 46 and the base slat body 48 can move upward and downward past
the
base slat locking bracket 100 when the shutter curtain 30 is rolled onto and
unrolled from the shutter support member 20. Fig. 6 shows the shutter curtain
30
in the unrolled position, and the lock arms 56 are extended into the lock arm
receiving slots 94 of the side tracks 40 to lock the base slat 46 at the
opening
bottom wall 102. When a force applied to the base slat 46 from an exterior
side
104 of the shutter curtain 30 and the structure, such as by a pry bar 106
forced
under the base slat 46 as shown in Fig. 7, the base slat 46 deflects toward
the
interior side 64 of the structure and the shutter curtain 30 and into
engagement with
the base slat locking bracket 100 to prevent the base slat 46 from deflecting
further
inward into the interior side 64 of the opening and upward away from the
opening
bottom wall 102.
100441 Referring back to Fig. 6, the base slat locking bracket 100 in the
illustrated embodiment includes a bracket base plate 108 mounted to the
opening
bottom wall 102 by one or more bolts 110 embedded in the opening bottom wall
102 and extending through corresponding bolt holes (not shown) in the bracket
base plate 108. Nuts 112 and washers 114 may be installed and tightened down
so
that the base slat locking bracket 100 can remain in place for a desired
period of
time, and removed and/or replaced if necessary. The base slat locking bracket
100
further includes a base slat engagement portion in the form of a bracket back
wall
116 extending upward from the bracket base plate 108 and the opening bottom
wall 102, and a bracket top wall 118 extending from the bracket back wall 116
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above the opening bottom wall 102 and toward the exterior side 104 of the
shutter
curtain 30 and the structure. The bracket top wall 118 and the opening bottom
wall
102 define a base slat opening 120 of the base slat engagement portion
receiving
the base slat 46, and in particular the base slat body 48, when the base slat
46 is
deflected toward the interior side 64 of the shutter curtain 30 and the
structure by
the pry bar 106 as shown in Fig. 7.
[0045] Fig. 8 and 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the base slat 46
and
the base slat locking bracket 100 where the base slat 46 is configured to
receive
and engage the bracket top wall 118 during an attempted breach by prying up
the
base slat 46. Referring to Fig. 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the base
slat 46
includes a bracket top wall opening 122 on the interior side 64 of the base
slat 46
and the base slat body 48. The bracket top wall opening 122 may extend upward
above the lock arm 56. The base slat engagement portion of the base slat
locking
bracket 100 is modified in this embodiment to shorten the bracket back wall
116
and correspondingly lower the bracket top wall 118 to align with the bracket
top
wall opening 122 of the base slat 46. When the force applied to the base slat
46
from an exterior side 104 of the shutter curtain 30 by the pry bar 106 as
shown in
Fig. 9, the base slat 46 deflects toward the base slat locking bracket 100 and
a
portion of the base slat 46 is received by the base slat opening 120. At the
same
time, the bracket top wall 118 enters the bracket top wall opening 122 and is
engaged by the walls of the base slat 46 and the base slat body 48 to prevent
the
base slat 46 from deflecting further inward into the interior side 64 of the
opening
and upward away from the opening bottom wall 102. The base slat 46 and the
base
slat locking bracket 100 can be dimensioned so that the bracket top wall 118
will
extend over and engage the lock arm 56 when the base slat 46 is deflected
inward
by the pry bar 106 by a sufficient distance. The engagement of the lock arm 56
may provide additional support against lifting of the base slat 46 by the pry
bar
106.
[0046] Figs. 7 and 9 illustrate the inward and upward deflection of the
central
portion of the base slat 46, the base slat body 48 and the bottommost slats 32
due
to the force applied by the pry bar 106. However, the ends of the base slat 46
and
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the bottommost slats 32 are prevented from displacing upward away from the
opening bottom wall 102 and being pulled inward due to the engagement of the
ends by the side tracks 40. The lock arms 56 within the lock arm receiving
slots 94
are engaged by the inner walls 86 to resist upward movement. At the same time,
the fms 76, 78 engage the end retention members 50 to prevent the ends of the
slats
32, 46 from being pulled out of the side tracks 40. The base slat locking
bracket
100 effectively reduces the distance between each side track 40 and the next
point
of anchoring of the base slat 46 at the opening bottom wall 102. The
relatively
narrow portion of the base slat 46 between the side track 40 and the base slat
locking bracket 100 will be more resistant to upward deflection than the full
span
of the base slat 46 from side track 40 to side track 40, which is particularly
advantageous in applications where the rolling shutter assemblies 10 cover
wide
openings, such as installations where a single rolling shutter assembly 10
covers a
main entrance to a store or facility having multiple entry and exit doors that
are
side-by-side.
100471 The embodiments of the base slat locking bracket 100 are exemplary of
base slat pry stoppers in accordance with the present disclosure, and diverse
alternative embodiments are contemplated. For example, the base slat
engagement
portion of the base slat locking bracket 100 may have alternative shapes that
both
allow the shutter curtain 30 to move upward and downward past the base slat
locking bracket 100 under normal conditions, and engage the base slat 46 when
a
force is applied proximate the base slat 46 from the exterior side 104. For
example, the combination of the bracket back wall 116 and the bracket top wall
118 in the base slat engagement portion may be rounded as opposed to planar as
shown to have a shape more approximating a hook when viewed from the side.
Alternatively, the bracket top wall 118 could be angled downward from the
bracket
back wall 116 toward the base slat 46 and the opening bottom wall 102. Other
alternative configurations providing clearance under normal conditions and
engagement when a breach of the shutter curtain 30 is attempted will be
apparent
to those skilled in the art based on applicant's disclosure.
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[0048] As further shown in the embodiments of Figs. 6-9, the base slat locking
bracket 100 is installed on a top surface of the opening bottom wall 102. In
the
embodiment of Figs. 6-7, the bracket base plate 108 creates a lip at the base
slat
opening 120 such that the base slat 46 and the base slat body 48 must be
elevated
above the opening bottom wall 102 by a distance at least greater than the
thickness
of the bracket base plate 108 before the base slat body 48 can enter the base
slat
opening 120. In the alternative embodiment of Figs. 8-9, the bracket base
plate
108 and the bracket top wall 118 are dimensioned so that the bracket top wall
118
extends beyond the bracket base plate 108 toward the shutter curtain 30. With
this
configuration, the bracket top wall 118 can enter the bracket top wall opening
122
even if the base slat 46 is skidding along the opening bottom wall 102. In
further
alternative embodiments, the opening bottom wall 102 may have a base plate
recess 130 (Figs. 12-14) defined therein into which the bracket base plate 108
is
installed below the top surface of the opening bottom wall 102. The base plate
recess 130 may have a depth that is at least as great as the thickness of the
bracket
base plate 108 so that the top surface of the bracket base plate 108 is at or
below
the top surface of the opening bottom wall 102. With the bracket base plate
108
recessed, the lip is eliminated and the base slat 46 can slide along the
opening
bottom wall 102 and into the base slat opening 120 (Fig. 7) or receive the
bracket
top wall 118 (Fig. 9) without the potential for obstruction.
100491 Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of the base
slat 46 and the base slat locking bracket 100 where the bracket back wall 116
is
configured to engage a portion of the base slat 46. Referring to Fig. 10, the
base
slat 46 may omit the base slat body 48, and may instead have a base slat
handle or
pry stop arm 124 mounted thereto and extending toward the interior side 64 of
the
shutter curtain 30. The base slat locking bracket 100 is modified to omit the
bracket top wall 118 from the base slat engagement portion, and to provide a
bracket back wall opening 126 in the bracket back wall 116. The bracket back
wall opening 126 may extend upward above the handle or pry stop arm 124 when
the shutter curtain 30 is unrolled and the base slat 46 is disposed at the top
surface
of the opening bottom wall 102. When the force applied to the base slat 46
from
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the exterior side 104 of the shutter curtain 30 by the pry bar 106 as shown in
Fig.
11, the base slat 46 deflects toward the base slat locking bracket 100 and a
portion
of the pry stop arm 126 is received by the bracket back wall opening 126 and
is
engaged by the base slat locking bracket 100 to prevent the base slat 46 from
deflecting further inward into the interior side 64 of the opening and upward
away
from the opening bottom wall 102.
100501 In the embodiments of Figs. 6-11, the base slat locking bracket 100 is
permanently or semi-permanently mounted to the opening bottom wall 102. Even
when the base slat locking bracket 100 is removed, the bolts 110 may extend
upward from the opening bottom wall 102. When the rolling shutter assembly 10
is used to cover an opening that is used for ingress into and egress from a
building,
the opening cannot have obstructions that can cause a trip hazard or other
impediment to safe ingress and egress when the shutter curtain 30 is rolled
up. In
some implementations, the base slat locking bracket 100 can be installed in an
area
that is protected from foot traffic, such as on an interior side of a door
jamb or
safety rail disposed within the opening. Other implementations may not allow
for
installation of the base slat locking bracket 100 in the opening without
creating an
ingress and egress hazard. To accommodate such implementations, the base slat
locking bracket 100 may be configured to be removable or retractable to allow
obstruction-free ingress and egress through the opening when appropriate.
100511 Figs. 12-14 illustrate an embodiment of the base slat locking bracket
100
that is selectively removable to avoid being an obstruction when the shutter
curtain
30 is open during normal use or during emergency situations. As discussed
above,
the opening bottom wall 102 may include a base plate recess 130 defined
therein
that is configured to receive the bracket base plate 108. The base plate
recess 130
may have a plurality of bracket retention members 132 anchored in the opening
bottom wall 102 therein and extending upward therefrom. Each bracket retention
member 132 may have a retention shank 134 anchored in the opening bottom wall
102, and a retention head 136 on the retention shank 134 and disposed above
the
opening bottom wall 102. The retention shanks 134 have a shank width, and the
retention heads 136 have a head width that is greater than the shank width. As
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shown, the bracket retention members 132 are arranged in a row, but may be
arranged in other configurations as necessary to engage and retain the base
slat
locking bracket 100 as discussed below.
10052] The base slat locking bracket 100 is modified to be engaged by the
bracket retention members 132 when the bracket base plate 108 is inserted into
the
base plate recess 130. The bracket base plate 108 includes a plurality of
bracket
retention slots 140 extending there through, and with each aligning with a
corresponding one of the bracket retention members 132. Each of the bracket
retention slots 140 includes a receiving section 142 having a receiving
section
width that is greater than the head width, and a locking section 144 having a
locking section width that is less than the head width and greater than the
shank
width of the bracket retention members 132. The retention shanks 134 will have
a
shank length from the surface of the opening bottom wall 102 to the bottoms of
the
retention heads 136 that is greater than the thickness of the bracket base
plate 108.
100531 The base slat locking bracket 100 is removably mounted to the opening
bottom wall 102 by lowering the bracket base plate 108 into the base plate
recess
130 with the receiving sections 142 of the bracket retention slots 140 aligned
with
the retention heads 136 of the corresponding bracket retention members 132.
The
retention heads 136 pass through the receiving sections 142 and are disposed
above
the bracket base plate 108 when the bracket base plate 108 comes to rest on
the
opening bottom wall 102 within the base plate recess 130 as shown in Fig. 11.
The
base plate recess 130 is configured wide enough for the base slat locking
bracket
100 to slide parallel along the opening bottom wall 102 to dispose the
retention
shanks 134 within the locking sections 144 of the bracket retention slots 140
when
the base slat locking bracket 100 is in the locked position shown in Fig. 12.
In this
position, the retention heads 136 engage the bracket base plate 108 to prevent
the
base slat locking bracket 100 from moving upward from the opening bottom wall
102 when a break in is attempted and the base slat 46 is received through the
base
slat opening 120. If desired, the base slat locking bracket 100 and/or the
base plate
recess 130 can include a locking mechanism that can be engaged to retain the
base
slat locking bracket 100 in the locked position shown in Fig. 14. When the
rolling
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shutter assembly 10 is opened to permit traffic through the opening, the base
slat
locking bracket 100 is removed by sliding back in the opposite direction until
the
retention heads 136 and the receiving sections 142 are aligned and the base
slat
locking bracket 100 can be lifted out of the base plate recess 130.
[0054] For the reasons discussed above for making the base slat locking
bracket
100 removable, the base plate recess 130 and the bracket retention members 132
may be configured to avoid being an obstruction or tripping hazard when the
shutter curtain 30 is open and the base slat locking bracket 100 is removed.
Consequently, the base plate recess 130 may be deep enough so that the
retention
heads 136 of the bracket retention members 132 anchored within the base plate
recess 130 are at or below the level of the top surface of the opening bottom
wall
102 outside of the base plate recess 130. In this way, the bracket retention
members 132 do not extend into the opening. The base plate recess 130 may
further include a cover (not shown) that may be placed over the base plate
recess
130 when the base slat locking bracket 100 is removed so that the opening
bottom
wall 102 has a smooth, continuous surface. The cover can be separate from the
base plate recess 130, or may be secured to the opening bottom wall by a hinge
or
other connection mechanism allowing the cover to move between an open position
where the base plate recess 130 is exposed and the base slat locking bracket
100
can be installed, and a closed position covering the base plate recess 130.
[0055] Fig. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment with the locations of the
bracket retention members 132 and the bracket retention slots 140 reversed to
avoid creating an obstruction in the opening when the base slat locking
bracket 100
is removed. In this embodiment, the bracket retention members 132 are mounted
to and extend downward from the bracket base plate 108. The opening bottom
wall 102 has a base plate recess 146 defined therein into which a bracket
retention
plate 148 is installed to provide a continuous top surface for the opening
bottom
wall 102. The bracket retention plate 148 may be secured within the base plate
recess 146 using fasteners, adhesive or any other appropriate attachment
mechanism that will retain the bracket retention plate 148 within the base
plate
recess 146 when an attempt is made to pry up the base plate 46.
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[0056] The bracket retention plate 148 may have a plurality of the bracket
retention slots 140 defined therein, with each having receiving sections 142
and
locking sections 144 as described above and being arranged to align with the
bracket retention members 132 on the bracket base plate 108. The base plate
recess 146 may have a depth that is at least as great as the length of the
bracket
retention members 132 extending downward from the bracket base plate 108 so
that the bracket base plate 108 rests on the top surfaces of the bracket
retention
plate 148 and/or the opening bottom wall 102 when the bracket retention
members
132 are inserted. The bracket retention plate 148 may have a thickness that is
less
than the shank length from the bottom surface of the bracket base plate 108 to
the
retention heads 136 so that the retention shanks 134 can slide into the
locking
sections 144 of the bracket retention slots 140 and secure the base slat
locking
bracket 100 to the opening bottom wall 102. When the base slat locking bracket
100 is removed from the bracket retention plate 148, the opening will be free
of
obstruction due to the continuous surface provided by the bracket retention
plate
148 and the top surface of the opening bottom wall 102.
[0057] The configuration of the base slat locking bracket 100 and the base
plate
recesses 130, 146 facilitating installation and removal of the base slat
locking
brackets 100 as shown in Figs 12-15 are exemplary. Alternative mechanisms for
removably connecting a base slat pry stopper to the opening bottom wall are
contemplated. Such alternatives include alternate selectively engageable
mechanical attachment mechanisms known in the art. Further, attachment
mechanisms incorporating electro-mechanical, hydro-mechanical and pneumatic
actuators may be implemented. In such attachment mechanisms, input devices
may be provided to selectively operate the actuators to facilitate engagement
and
disengagement of the base slat locking bracket 100. Implementation of such
alternative removable attachment mechanisms will be within the capability of
those skilled in the art, and are contemplated by the applicant.
[0058] Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate one alternative mechanism for removably
mounting a base slat pry stopper to the opening bottom wall 102. Referring to
Fig.
16, the base slat pry stopper is illustrated in the form of a base slat
locking bracket
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150 having a bracket base plate 152 and a base slat engagement portion in the
form
of a bracket back wall 154 extending upward from the bracket base plate, and a
bracket top wall 156 extending outward from the bracket back wall 154. A
bracket
gusset or gussets 158 may connect the bracket back wall 154 to the bracket
base
plate 152 with the bracket back wall 154 being raised above the bracket base
plate
152 to facilitate installation of the base slat locking bracket 150 as
discussed
further below. The bracket back wall 154 and the bracket top wall 156 may be
configured for the bracket top wall 156 to receive and engage the base slat 46
as
shown in Fig. 7, to be received by the bracket top wall opening 122 as shown
in
Fig. 9, or to otherwise engage the base slat 46 when the base slat 46 is
deflected
toward the interior side 64 of the shutter curtain 30.
100591 The illustrated embodiment further includes a base plate slide mount
160
that is anchored to the opening bottom wall 102 by fasteners 162 or other
appropriate attachment mechanism. The base plate slide mount 160 as shown has
a multi-piece construction forming a bracket retention slot 164 into which the
bracket base plate 152 will be inserted. The base plate slide mount 160
includes a
slide mount base plate 166 disposed on the top surface of the opening bottom
wall
102, a pair of bracket retention plates 168 dispose opposite the slide mount
base
plate 166, and a pair of slide mount spacer plates 170 disposed between the
slide
mount base plate 166 and the bracket retention plates 168. The bracket
retention
plates 168 are spaced apart by a distance that is greater than a thickness of
the
bracket gusset 158 but less than a width of the bracket base plate 152, and
have a
thickness that is less than a distance between the top of the bracket base
plate 152
and the bottom of the bracket back wall 154. The slide mount spacer plates 170
are spaced apart by a distance that is greater than the bracket base plate 152
and
have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the bracket base plate
152. In
alternative embodiments, the slide mount base plate 166, the bracket retention
plates 168 and the slide mount spacer plates 170 may be formed as a single
unitary
component defining the bracket retention slot 164 as described herein and
mounted
to the opening bottom wall 102.
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[0060] The spacing and dimensions of the bracket retention plates 168 and the
slide mount spacer plates 170 define the bracket retention slot 164 so that
the
bracket base plate 152 can be received therein and engaged to secure the base
slat
locking bracket 150 against forces that may be transmitted from the base slat
46.
The base slat locking bracket 150 is installed by sliding the bracket base
plate 152
into the bracket retention slot 164 as indicated by the arrow 172 in Fig. 16.
As
shown in Fig. 17, the bracket gusset 158 is received between the bracket
retention
plates 168 and the bracket base plate 152 is received between the slide mount
spacer plates 170 and beneath the bracket retention plates 168. The bracket
retention plates 168 partially overlay the bracket base plate 152 to prevent
the base
slat locking bracket 150 from being pulled upward. The bracket back wall 154
extends over the bracket retention plates 168 and engages the bracket
retention
plates 168 when the base slat 46 applies an offset load F to the bracket top
wall 156
tending to rotate the base slat locking bracket 150 about the bracket base
plate 152.
[0061] Fig. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment to the base plate slide
mount
160 of Figs. 16-17 that may be implemented to avoid creating an obstruction in
the
opening when the base slat locking bracket 150 is removed. In this embodiment,
the opening bottom wall 102 has a retention plate recess 174 defined therein
into
which a bracket retention plate 176 is installed to provide a continuous top
surface
for the opening bottom wall 102. The bracket retention plate 176 may be
secured
within the retention plate recess 174 using fasteners 162 or any other
appropriate
attachment mechanism that will retain the bracket retention plate 176 within
the
retention plate recess 174 when an attempt is made to pry up the base plate
46.
[0062] The bracket retention plate 176 may have a bracket retention slot 178
defined therein having a generally similar configuration as the bracket
retention
slots 140 described above, including a receiving section 142 and a locking
section
144. The receiving section 142 has a width that is greater than the width of
the
bracket base plate 152 and a longitudinal length that is greater than a
longitudinal
length of the bracket base plate 152. The locking section 144 has a width that
is
greater than the thickness of the bracket gusset 158 but less than the width
of the
bracket base plate 152. The retention plate recess 174 may have a depth that
is at
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least as great as the distance from the bottom of the bracket back wall 154 to
the
bottom of the bracket base plate 152 so that the bracket back wall 154 rests
on the
top surfaces of the bracket retention plate 176 and/or the opening bottom wall
102
when the bracket base plate 152 is inserted though the receiving section 142.
The
bracket retention plate 176 has a thickness that is less than the distance
between the
top of the bracket base plate 152 and the bottom of the bracket back wall 154
so
that the bracket gusset 158 can slide into the locking section 144 and secure
the
base slat locking bracket 150 to the opening bottom wall 102. The base slat
locking bracket 150 is installed by lowering the bracket base plate 152
through the
receiving section 142 of the bracket retention slot 178, and then sliding the
bracket
gusset 158 into the locking section 144 so that the bracket base slat 152 is
engaged
by the bottom surface of the bracket retention plate 176. When the base slat
locking bracket 150 is removed from the bracket retention plate 176, the
opening
will be free of obstruction due to the continuous surface provided by the
bracket
retention plate 176 and the top surface of the opening bottom wall 102.
100631 Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate a further embodiment wherein a base slat pry
stopper is permanently mounted in the opening bottom wall 102 but is movable
between a base slat locking position where the base slat 46 can be engaged by
the
base slat engagement portion and a bracket retracted position where the base
slat
pry stopper is not an obstruction in the opening. The base slat pry stopper is
provided in the form of a locking bracket assembly 180 that is installed
within a
locking bracket assembly recess 182 in the opening bottom wall 102. The
locking
bracket assembly 180 may include an assembly housing 184 that is inserted into
the locking bracket assembly recess 182, and an assembly cover 186 that covers
an
open top end of the assembly housing 184. When installed, the assembly cover
186 is approximately flush with the opening bottom wall 102 to provide a
continuous level surface at the bottom of the opening.
[0064] The locking bracket assembly 180 includes a base slat locking bracket
190 have a base slat engagement portion in the form of a bracket back wall 192
and a bracket top wall 194 similar to the bracket back wall 116 and the
bracket top
wall 118 as described above. In the present embodiment, however, the bracket
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back wall 192 may be extended downward to pass through a back wall slot 196 in
the assembly cover 186 and into the assembly housing 184. The back wall slot
196
may be disposed within a top wall recess 198 in the assembly cover 186. The
top
wall recess 198 is configured to receive the bracket top wall 194 when the
base slat
locking bracket 190 is in the bracket retracted position shown in Fig. 19.
Consequently, the top wall recess 198 has a depth that is at least equal to a
thickness of the bracket top wall 194 so that the bracket top wall 194 is at
or below
the surface of the opening bottom wall 102 when the base slat locking bracket
190
is retracted.
[0065] One example of a deployment mechanism for moving the base slat
locking bracket 190 between the base slat locking position of Fig. 19 and the
bracket retracted position of Fig. 20 is contained within the assembly housing
184.
The deployment mechanism in this embodiment includes a rotary actuator such as
an electric motor 200 mounted to a wall of the assembly housing 184, and a
wheel
202 mounted on a shaft 204 of the electric motor 200. The wheel 202 has a
dowel
206 extending therefrom parallel to a rotational axis of the wheel 202. The
dowel
206 is inserted through a horizontally elongated dowel slot 208 through the
bracket
back wall 192.
[0066] The electric motor 200 may be operatively connected to a power source
(not shown) and a multi-position switch (not shown). When the switch is
displaced to a first position, the electric motor 200 rotates the wheel 202 to
the
position shown in Fig. 19, and the base slat locking bracket 190 is extended
to the
base slat locking position. When the switch is displaced to a second position,
the
electric motor 200 rotates the wheel 202 back to the position shown in Fig.
20, and
the base slat locking bracket 190 is retracted through the back wall slot 196
to the
bracket retracted position. As the wheel 202 rotates, the dowel 206 is free to
slide
horizontally within the dowel slot 208. The switch may also have a neutral
position where the electric motor 200 is electrically disconnected from the
power
source.
[0067] As discussed above, the locking bracket assembly 180 is exemplary of an
arrangement for extending and retracting a base slat pry stopper that is
install in the
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opening bottom wall 102. The electric motor 200 and the wheel 202 could be
replaced by other types of linear or rotary actuators and appropriate
connecting
linkages for translating the motion of the actuator into the movement of the
base
slat locking bracket 190 between the base slat locking position and the
bracket
retracted position. Such actuators can be mechanical, electro-mechanical,
electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or the like. Additionally, alternative
locking
bracket assemblies can cause the base slat locking bracket 190 to move
linearly as
shown in the present example, or to move through any appropriate linear,
curved or
complex path of motion between the base slat locking position and the bracket
retracted position.
100681 The switch for the locking bracket assembly 180 may be located in any
convenient location for operation by an operator opening and closing the
rolling
shutter assembly 10. In some implementations, a single switch may be used to
control the operation of both the drive motor of the rolling shutter assembly
10 and
the electric motor 200 of the locking bracket assembly 180. In such
embodiments,
the electric motor 200 may operate to extend the base slat locking bracket 190
as
the drive motor unrolls the shutter curtain 30, and the electric motor 200 may
operate to retract the base slat locking bracket 190 to the opening bottom
wall 102
as the drive motor rolls the shutter curtain 30 onto the shutter support
member 20.
Alternatively, control of the locking bracket assembly 180 and/or the rolling
shutter assembly 10 may be integrated into a security system for the facility
such
that the base slat locking bracket 190 and/or the shutter curtain 30 are
deployed
when the security system is turned on and retracted when the security system
is
turned off. Further alternative deployment systems for base slat pry stoppers
in
accordance with the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in
the art
and are contemplated by the applicant.
100691 In some implementations, it may be desirable or necessary to have
positive engagement between the base slat 46 and the base slat locking bracket
100, 150, 190 once a breach is attempted. The positive retention may eliminate
the
possibility of the base slat 46 not being captured by the base slat bracket
100, 150,
190 after repeated attempts to force the pry bar 106 under the base slat 46.
Figs.
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21-23 illustrate one exemplary embodiment wherein a latch assembly 210 in
accordance with the present disclosure may provide positive engagement during
a
breach attempt. Referring to Fig. 21, the latch assembly 210 may include a
latch
mechanism 212 mounted to the base slat locking bracket 100, for example, such
as
on the bracket top wall 118. At the same time, a latch pin 214 may be mounted
to
the base slat 46, such as on the base slat body 48. The latch mechanism 212
and
the latch pin 214 are positioned on the base slat locking bracket 100 and the
base
slat 46, respectively, so that the components are aligned and the latch pin
214 is
received and engaged by the latch mechanism 212 at the onset of the breach
attempt when the base slat 46 is deflected into the base slat locking bracket
100 the
first time in the direction indicated by the arrow.
100701 Fig. 22 illustrates the latch assembly 210 in greater detail. The
shutter
curtain 30 and the base slat 46 are shown in a non-deflected position with the
base
slat body 48 disposed away from the base slat locking bracket 100 and the
latch
assembly 210 disengaged. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch pin 214 is
mounted to the base slat body 48 and extends upward above the top of the base
slat
body 48 and the bracket top wall 118. The latch mechanism 212 is mounted on
the
bracket top wall 118 and includes a latch bracket 216 supporting the other
components of the latch mechanism 212. A latch engagement arm 218 having a
forked shape is pivotally mounted to the latch bracket 216 by a first bolt 220
that
functions as a pivot pin for the latch engagement arm 218. The latch
engagement
arm 218 includes a pin engaging finger 222 and a pin locking finger 224 that
function as described below. A latch trigger arm 226 is mounted to the latch
bracket 216 by a second bolt 228 that functions as a pivot pin for the latch
trigger
arm 226. The latch engagement arm 218 and the latch trigger arm 226 are
operatively connected to each other by gearing, linkages or other kinematic
elements (not shown) within the latch bracket 216 that cause the arms 218, 226
to
move together between latch unlocked position of Fig. 22 and the latch locked
position of Fig. 23. Such kinematic elements for causing the movement of the
arms 218, 226 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
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[0071] In the disengaged and unlocked position of Fig. 22, the latch
engagement
arm 218 is rotated counterclockwise as shown to a position where the pin
engaging
finger 222 is disposed within a bracket slot 230 in the latch bracket 216 that
will
receive the latch pin 214. A corresponding top wall slot 232 is formed in the
bracket top wall 118 to accommodate the upward extending latch pin 214 to
allow
the base slat body 48 to enter the base slat locking bracket 100 below the
bracket
top wall 118. In this position of the latch engagement arm 218, the pin
locking
finger 224 is rotated clear of the slots 230, 232 so as not to interfere with
entry of
the latch pin 214 into the latch mechanism 212.
[0072] As the shutter curtain 30 in general, and the base slat 46 in
particular,
deflect toward the interior side 64 of the shutter curtain 30 during an
attempted
breach, the latch pin 214 moves toward the base slat locking bracket 100 and
the
latch mechanism 212 and into engagement with the pin engaging finger 222.
Continued inward movement of the latch pin 214 into the slots 230, 232 causes
the
latch engagement arm 218 to rotate clockwise as viewed in Figs. 22 and 23. At
the
same time, the kinematic elements cause the latch trigger arm 226 to rotate
clockwise, but at a slower rate of rotation if necessary. When the latch
engagement arm 218 has rotated to a locked position as shown in Fig. 23, the
latch
trigger arm 226 engages the latch engagement arm 218 to lock the latch
mechanism 212. The rotation of the latch engagement arm 218 in the illustrated
embodiment from the unlocked, disengaged position of Fig. 22 to the locked,
engaged position of Fig. 23 is approximately 45 , but the latch engagement arm
218 may rotate through larger or smaller angles in different implementations.
In
the locked position, the pin locking finger 224 has extended across the slots
230,
232 and engages the latch pin 214 to prevent the latch pin 214, and
correspondingly the base slat 46, from pulling or being pulled away from the
base
slat locking bracket 100. When it is desired to unlock the latch assembly 210,
the
latch trigger arm 226 may be rotated to a position to unlock the latch
mechanism
212, at which time the latch engagement arm 218 will rotate counterclockwise
back to the unlocked position of Fig. 22, and the pin engaging finger 222 may
eject
the latch pin from the slots 230, 232.
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100731 Figs. 24-26 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a latch assembly
240
having a latch mechanism 242 for engaging the latch pin 214 during an
attempted
breach. The latch mechanism 242 is mounted on the bracket top wall 118 and
includes a latch bracket 244 supporting the other components of the latch
mechanism 242. A latch locking member 246 is pivotally mounted to the latch
bracket 244 by a pivot pin 248. The latch locking member 246 includes a pin
engaging finger 250 and a latch release finger 252 that function as described
below. The latch locking member 246 may be biased by a spring 254 or other
resilient member to rotate counterclockwise to a locked position illustrated
in Figs.
24 and 26. The spring 254 as illustrated is coiled around the pivot pin 248
and has
a first arm 256 attached to the pin engaging finger 250 and a second arm 258
held
stationary relative to the latch bracket 244 by a stop member 260. The spring
254
causes the latch locking member 246 to rotate counterclockwise as shown until
the
pin engaging finger 250 is engaged by a lock stop pin 262 with the pin
engaging
finger 250 extending across a bracket slot 264 of the latch bracket 244 and a
top
wall slot 266 of the bracket top wall 118. The latch release finger 252 has a
latch
release pin 268 mounted thereto at an outward end and extending upward through
a
semi-circular slot 270 through a top wall of the latch bracket 244.
[0074] Under normal conditions as shown in Fig. 24 when the shutter curtain 30
and the base slat 46 are not deflected toward the base slat locking bracket
100, the
spring 254 biases the latch locking member 246 to the normal locked position
and
into engagement with the lock stop pin 262. As the shutter curtain 30 in
general,
and the base slat 46 in particular, deflect toward the interior side 64 of the
shutter
curtain 30 during an attempted breach, the latch pin 214 moves toward the base
slat
locking bracket 100 and the latch mechanism 242 and into engagement with the
pin engaging finger 250. Continued inward movement of the latch pin 214 into
the
slots 264, 266 causes the latch locking member 246 to rotate clockwise as
viewed
in Figs. 24-26 against the biasing force of the spring 254 as shown in Fig.
25.
When the latch pin 214 moves far enough into the slots 264, 266 and past the
end
of the pin engaging fmger 250, the latch locking member 246 is free to rotate
back
to the locked position under the biasing force of the spring 254 and capture
the
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latch pin 214 within the slots 264, 266. In the locked position, the
engagement
between the pin engaging finger 250 and the lock stop pin 262 prevents the
latch
pin 214, and correspondingly the base slat 46, from pulling or being pulled
away
from the base slat locking bracket 100. When it is desired to unlock the latch
assembly 240 and release the latch pin 214, the latch release pin 268 is
engaged to
rotate the latch locking member 246 clockwise until the pin engaging finger
250 is
retracted from the slots 264, 266.The latch assemblies 210, 240 are exemplary.
Those skilled in the art will understand that alternative latching mechanisms
may
be implemented to secure the base slat 46 to one of the base slat locking
brackets
100, 150, 190, and such alternatives are contemplated by the inventors.
Industrial Applicability
[0075] The base slat pry stoppers as illustrated and described herein, and
alternative embodiments thereto, provide devices using the advantage of the
connection to the ground to catch the base slat 46 of the shutter curtain 30
when a
breach is attempted by prying up the base slat 46, and to prevent the base
slat 46
from being raised above the opening bottom wall 102 to permit undesired access
through the opening. These security improvements can be provided without the
need for modifying the components of the rolling shutter assembly. This allows
base slat pry stoppers to be retrofit into existing installations of rolling
shutter
assemblies. The base slat pry stopper can be permanently attached to the
opening
bottom wall 102 when permissible and not creating an obstruction for ingress
and
egress through the opening. Where permanent attachment of the base slat pry
stopper would create an impermissible obstruction, the base slat pry stopper
may
be removably mounted to the opening bottom wall 102, or installed with an
actuation device that can extend the base slat pry stopper when needed to
secure
the shutter curtain 30 over the opening and retract the base slat pry stopper
when
the shutter curtain 30 is rolled up to permit passage through the opening.
100761 While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of numerous
different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of
protection is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The
detailed
CA 03104283 2020-12-17
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PCT/US2019/038294
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description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every
possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be
implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the
filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the
claims
defining the scope of protection.
100771 It should also be understood that, unless a term was expressly defined
herein, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly
or by
implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be
interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section
of
this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any
term
recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to herein in a
manner
consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as
to not
confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by
implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.
